Forgiveness and Human Flourishing: Evidence From 22 Countries

Original article: Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but studies show it can help you flourish
The Conversation, February 23, 2026 · Photo: Raphael Brasileiro/Pexels, CC BY-SA
Read the full story at The Conversation →

Forgiveness is emerging as a measurable pillar of Human Flourishing, with Global Flourishing Study data linking it to better well-being a year later. In an essay for The Conversation, Richard G. Cowden of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard summarises cross-national findings from the Global Flourishing Study and a multisite randomised trial of a brief forgiveness workbook. Published in February 2026, the piece offers a concise view of where forgiveness research stands.

What the Global Flourishing Study found

The essay reports the following findings:

• About 75% of more than 200,000 people in 22 countries said they “often” or “always” forgive those who hurt them, from 41% in Turkey to 92% in Nigeria.
• All five African countries in the study (Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania) ranked in the top six for forgiveness.
• Using two waves of data about a year apart, people who were more forgiving reported somewhat higher well-being a year later on many of 56 outcomes, including mental health, purpose in life, relationship satisfaction and hope.
• A randomised trial with more than 4,500 people in Colombia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Africa and Ukraine found a three-hour forgiveness workbook improved forgiveness, anxiety, depression and overall well-being.

Why this matters for Human Flourishing

Forgiveness has long been treated as a private virtue or a religious teaching. Cross-national data now place it alongside meaning, relationships and mental health as part of the measurable picture of a good life. The wide variation between countries also shows that culture, social norms and faith traditions shape how people respond to being wronged.

Leadership and coaching: how this applies

For leaders, forgiveness is a working skill. Teams carry unresolved hurt from missed commitments, sharp words and decisions that landed badly, and the study links how people respond to hurt with their wellbeing a year later. Leaders who name conflict early, model repair and make room for honest conversation give their people a way forward.

In coaching, the REACH approach offers a usable frame: name the hurt, choose not to seek payback and move toward compassion, while keeping accountability and safety intact. The trial results suggest that even a brief, structured process can help, which makes forgiveness a practical topic for one-on-ones, team resets and leadership development.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Global Flourishing Study?

It is a long-term study that follows more than 200,000 people in 22 countries to understand what a good life looks like, including health, happiness, meaning, relationships, character and financial security. It is led by the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard and the Baylor Institute for Global Human Flourishing, with Gallup and the Center for Open Science.

What does forgiveness mean, and what does it not mean?

In the article, forgiveness is a process of choosing not to seek payback, working to release resentment and moving toward greater compassion for the person who caused the hurt. It does not mean excusing wrongdoing, abandoning justice or reopening the door to an unsafe relationship.

What is the REACH Forgiveness workbook?

It is a self-directed workbook of about three hours, with reflective exercises, writing activities and educational material, built on the widely studied REACH Forgiveness model. The REACH Forgiveness workbook is free to download and use and is available in several languages.